1. لي بالحمى قوم عُرفت بصبِّهم

    وإذا مرضت فصحتي في طبِّهم

    I have folk in the sanctuary; I am known as their ardent lover.

    And when I fall ill, my recovery lies in their medicine.

  2. قوم كرام هائمون بربهم

    علموا بأني صادق في حبِّهم

    Noble folk, lost in love with their Lord.

    They knew I was sincere in my love for them.

  3. وتحققوا صبري الجميل فعذَّبوا

    يا سعد خذ عني الهوى وله فَعِي

    And they were sure of my beautiful patience, so they tormented me.

    O Sa'd, learn passion from me, and heed it.

  4. اعلمْ بأن القوم أهل المطلع

    حضرات وجه غائب في البرقع

    Know that these folk belong to the place of dawning:

    Presences of a face hidden behind the veil.

  5. نزلوا بوادي المنحنى من أضلعي

    وتمنّعوا عن مقلتي وتحجبوا

    They settled in the valley of the bend among my ribs.

    And they withheld themselves from my eye and veiled themselves.

  6. هم عند قلبي بل وقلبي عندهم

    وإذا بثثت الوجد بثوا وجدهم

    They are with my heart—rather, my heart is with them.

    And when I pour out my longing, they pour out theirs.

  7. ومعي أراهم لا أفارق قصدهم

    سعدت حظوظي إذ رضوني عبدهم

    And I see them with me; I never abandon my quest for them.

    My fortunes prospered when they accepted me as their servant.

  8. والفخر لي أني إليهم أنسب

    And my glory is that I am counted among them.